Can someone at PlusNet explain this strange IP address?

Firstly this IP keeps showing up whenever I'm using the browser. Always get an outgoing to connection - 212.56.71.140Think this is only recently. Feels like being tracked wherever I go.Out of interest I blocked it on the firewall without adverse effect until discovering I cannot access many things without it, YouTube for example.It turns out to be --212.56.71.140inetnum: 212.56.71.128 - 212.56.71.191netname: WYORKS-FCDAdescr: West Yorks Fire and Civil Defence Authority country: GBhosted on PlusNet Force9What in heaven's name is going on?Today has been bonkers. Its everywhere all the time. Pages of continuous hits on my FW log, including when logging-in to my own domain (not PN) and my bank account. Hmm...Why would West Yorkshire Fire and Civil Defence Authority need outgoing traffic from my computer (no incoming, btw) when I'm doing my online banking?And why can't I access YouTube, etc., etc., without it?(Other IPs in this range show only Force9, but still the same question - why?)

Re: Can someone at PlusNet explain this strange IP address?

It's actually nothing to worry about, however the IP does need the details updating!The IP actually belongs to a cache, which allows us to delivery Google content from within the cache rather than having to be fetched from Google data centres each time. It might be showing up more frequently if you're using Chrome or the site you're visiting uses Google Analytics.

Re: Can someone at PlusNet explain this strange IP address?

I as under the impression that Plusnet didn't use caching poxy servers and that the only time web requests were diverted was if the IPs were on the IWF list. It appears that is not the case.Could you give details of what goes through the cache servers please.

Re: Can someone at PlusNet explain this strange IP address?

https://peering.google.com/about/ggc.htmlGoogle devices which serve cached video content etc. All that content is already served from caches across the internet, it's just closer to the customer with these devices.

Re: Can someone at PlusNet explain this strange IP address?

Thanks for replies. It sort of looked that way but the whois was pretty confusing! And it was happening at times when, as far as I'm concerned, it shouldn't be.Why is there not incoming as well then, if its delivering content?Its been quite revealing.I can understand that, using Firefox, there will be a google hit each time I start the browser.Its certainly not just video content, its continuous during all internet use.(Don't use Chrome, toolbars, or anything like that. I'm one of those who avoid google as much as possible.)Wish I felt certain that their little 'phone-home' packets are innocuous... everytime I log on or off my domain, bank account, anything I do, etc., etc...Anyone else noticed this on their logs?Thanks for the info guys

Re: Can someone at PlusNet explain this strange IP address?

Been watching it. Looks like you're right, though not "lots of pages".Though I installed Lightbeam (Firefox) and amazed to see the tangle of connections coming up. The internet is a mess!! One day this will need to be simplified or it will all fall over.Got rid of Lightbeam in the end as it keeps picking up favicons from all visited sites!

Re: Can someone at PlusNet explain this strange IP address?

yep, got rid of Lightbeam. Interesting for a while, but... well, didn't like the way it always reverts to the anim bubbles - I only wanted a list. And confuses itself (or me anyway) as it always calls for the favicon of every site you visit over and over.